SENIOR CITIZENS ENTER FLOAT IN JAMBOREE PARADE – Jessamine County Senior Citizens Center entered an “Autumn Memory” float in the Jamboree Parade, held here October 6. Tagging along behind the entry was a horse-pulled wagon carrying other seniors. Pictured on the float are O. F. Sanders, David Willhoite, Cleo Willhoite, Mary Shearer, Arval Durham, Violet McQuerry, Josie Tipton, Rose Stinnett, Hazel Phillips, Pearl Slugantz, Joe Slugantz, Bertha Cobb, Alberta Mosby, Frances Preston, Ruby Preston, Mary Bradshaw, Ruby B. Sanders, Christine McQuerry, Myrtle Goss, Juanita Corman, and Turley Curd. Pictured on the wagon are Mary Clark, Lyda Feck, Mary Middleton, Elizabeth Staley, Frank Teater, Al Staley, and Todd Warner.
Spot, the Faynes’ farm dog, from my grandmother’s youth. Violet Fayne and her family lived in and around Little Hickman along Sugar Creek Pike in Jessamine County. She was the middle sibling of the five children and was born in June 1913. If she was still living at home when this photograph was taken, it would be circa 1924-1929.
A resource* housed in the Jessamine County Public Library on Main Street, Nicholasville, KY, was published as a commemorative Jessamine County history and included individual citizens’ written accounts. My grandmother, Cutters, contributed her own biography which was included in this publication.
What I find funny or ironic is that whoever proofread or otherwise made an editorial decision about spelling made one critical error. This error is a longstanding point of discussion among our family.
At the end of her biography, Violet cites her nickname. Anyone who knew her called her “Cutters” but some would mistakenly say “Cutter” much to the chagrin of the ones who say “Cutters.” She would never have written it incorrectly. Someone made that typo in the final printing.
Violet Sunbeam Fayne McQuerry
Born on Sugar Creek Road in the house next to Wesley Chapel Church to Daisy and Manford Fayne, I was the third child; Hazel and Ralph were older and Ray and Billy were younger.
I graduated from Nicholasville High School and married Clyde McQuerry, son of Mattie Grant and William McQuerry, that same year. The next year a baby girl, Elizabeth Neale, was born; she lived only three weeks. Two years later our son, Ronnie was born. He was a happy little boy and fine young man. He enlisted in the Marine Corps, and while in service married Alice Robinson. The had three children: Ronnie, Steve, and Sherry. At age 26, Ronnie was killed while working on the McAlpine Dam in Louisville.
Our daughter, Phyllis, married Kenneth Mathews of Nicholasville. They moved to Louisville when they married. Their children are Cynthia, Craig and Sarah. Phyllis’ husband is employed by the Corps of Engineers in Louisville and she is personnel manager of Bacons.
Herbert married Patsy Carroll, and they have one child, Debbie. Herbert and Patsy were divorced, and he married Rita Pulliam. They have four children: Michelle, Macon, Tracy, and Brooke. Herbert enlisted in the Army for three years. Prior to his first married, he worked for IBM and upon his return from the Army, he returned to IBM and was transferred to Oklahoma City, where he met his second wife. He is presently employed by Eastman Kodak Company and lives in Nashville.
I worked in Martin’s Department Store in Nicholasville for seven years and retired from Montgomery Ward Credit Department in 1978.
My husband died in 1977 at the age of 69. With my seven great-grandchildren, my church, and volunteer work, I lead a very rewarding life. Everyone calls me “Cutter.” Violet F. McQuerry
Excerpt from Jessamine County reference (*will update this post when I find my notes with the proper citation). Newbie researcher lesson.
The example here gives me pause as I research genealogy archives. Records are only as reliable as the occasional human error and typos. This is ever in my mind as I try to distinguish the “Mathews” from the “Matthews” as well as when they are one and the same. I am not deterred.
“Everyone calls me Cutter.” Ummm, nope. Just those that don’t know better.
MRS. NORA TATMAN GIVEN PARTY ON ADVENT OF 100TH BIRTHDAY – Mrs. Nora Tatman of Nicholasville turned 100 years old yesterday. Anticipating the century mark, for a revered lady, relatives of Mrs. Tatman organized a party and open house at Royal Manor Nursing Home Sunday. Sixty-eight signed the guest book. Cake, food and refreshments were served all. The Music Makers, a trio from Lexington, sang old favorites. Miss Heidi Rode McIntosh, Lexington, great-great niece of Mrs. Tatman, performed a brief ballet routine. the visitation extended over two hours Sunday afternoon. Nieces and nephews are picture with the honoree. Front row (from left) — Mrs. Violet McQuerry, Mrs. Tatman, Mrs. Ruby Sparks, Mrs. Allie T. Carter, and Billy Fayne. Back row — Joe Easley, Clinton, Iowa; Ray Fayne; Roger T. Easley; Mrs. Ella Mae Neimes, Lexington; Mrs. Fannie Shearer; John Shearer, Lexington; Ralph Fayne; George Ewlsh and Mrs. Hazel Phillips. Mrs. Anna Cooley, Lexington, and Mrs. Virginia Rose are not pictured.
The Jessamine Journal, August 6, 1981
My grandmother, Cutters, seated next to her maternal aunt, Nora Tatman. Aunt Nora would live another 15 months to the age of 101yo. Cutters was 68yo in this photo and would live another 33 years. I look into her eyes and wonder if she ever imagined living beyond 100yo herself, as she did.
Violet McQuerry became Cutters in her grandmother years. She had a knack for keeping up with birthdays. Like me, cousins would receive a sweet, greeting card each year with a handwritten note in which she would wish happy birthday and provide a slice of life couple of paragraphs from her world. Friends coming to call, the weather and the like.
I remember many years she enclosed a check, never more than $5 or $10. At some point, I stopped cashing them because I liked having the check, itself. This was well before mobile deposits and the thought of forfeiting the money never outweighed wanting to keep her gift – just as it was. Invariably, she ended her notes with a signature. Not just her signed name, I mean. Her signature appears below:
She gave me her first birthday book. A pocket-sized “Tennyson Birthday Book” made in England and sprinkled with quotes throughout the daily, lined sections for recording details. She received it from her maternal Aunt Pearl upon graduating high school in 1930. I believe this was the foundation of Cutters’ lifelong practice of recording and commemorating important family dates.
I found this book helpful in clarifying some answers to questions that were eluding me. And, numerous opportunities to read between the lines of love. Cutters’ love.
Cutters came to stay with my parents while recuperating from broken bones after a fall. As it turns out, she came back more than once from broken bones. Would you believe it was in the 90s of her lifetime, though? Truth.
100 years and still learning
My grandmother, Cutters, lived to be 101. Only the final year to 18-months was limited by physical constraints. Her years between 1977 to 2013 were lived independently within community after Granddaddy died May 1977. This original aging-in-place home support network she inspired, and to which she contributed, is but one of the blessings from Jessamine County to me.
Only a small number of times she needed assistance in recuperation and mobility. Her children, Phyllis & Herbert, took good care of Cutters, their Mother. The love shared in her family I can only hope to honor, in turn. I have learned to look for ways to live her lessons again. Practicing loving service to others. She loved Jesus.
In this image, Cutters is seated in a recliner with pillows reinforcing her resting collar bone and shoulder. She holds a 21st century mobile device in her Roman chiseled masterpiece of hands and somehow that irony works. In her other hand, she is connected by mouth to a red and white striped peppermint candy cane. In Burberry wrapped and earphones in full effect. To the uninitiated, I say sorry. That so many will never know how amazingly this woman’s life impacted others. Thankfully, I am one who witnessed and can relive stories with my own loved ones.
With her hands, she worked making food and a home for family, friends, homemakers and those in need. This included her elderly father in his widowed years. She prepared fresh-from-the-farm meals, with green beans, corn, tomatoes and more. With her hands, she endured. She held the dying body of her first born child.
Those hands have richer lives all their own, what stories they could tell and energy they emit even now only in a photograph. And, the typing fingers of those same hands would let you know in no uncertain terms if she did not approve of something you shared on Facebook. Yes, she was active on Facebook. And that was also after she was 90yo.
Hazel, daughter, Manford Fayne, father and widower of nine years, and Violet, daughter. And, unless my mind is playing tricks, there is a little person peeking through the arched shrubbery or tree there behind where they stand.
Manford Fayne and Daisy Easley had five children, two daughters and three sons. Manford Fayne was nine years a widower in this photo following the death of wife Daisy Easley Fayne in 1946. From what I can sense over my lifetime, Ole’ Daddy led a close family and adored his girls, Hazel and Violet. He died in 1971 when I was 4yo, but I remember him. His light. His smile.
According to the 1950 US Census, Manford Fayne was a 65yo farmer living on Lock 8 in Jessamine County as the head of household. Also in the household, his son-in-law Clyde (41) & daughter Violet (36), and grandchildren Ronald (16yo), Phyllis (8yo) and Herbert (4yo). Multigenerational family farm living.
This photo is dated January 1955, at which time Hazel was 50yo and had been married to farmer Henry Thomas Graham for 34 years. They married when Hazel was 16yo and Henry was 24yo. They had no children which leads me to wonder whether they were able to conceive. She would be a widow at 52yo. Henry would die at the age of 60yo in November 1957 – nearly two years after this photo.
Violet (standing far right in the photo) had been married to Clyde for 25 years and at the time was mother to Ronnie (22yo), Phyllis (12yo) and Herbert (9y0). They were living with Ole’ Daddy and, to whatever extent he needed, were providing him care. I need to find out what year the Clyde McQuerry family moved from Lock 8 to Richmond Avenue near downtown Nicholasville, KY. It seems to me it was after 1971, which is when Ole’ Daddy died. I may not be accurate in piecing together a correct timeline..
The first child of Clyde & Violet, Ronnie, and his wife, Alice, were living in Virginia while Ronnie was serving in the US Marine Corp, Quantico, VA. Phyllis and Herbert were in school, I presume. Based on the 1950 Census and the probability they were living the same five years later, this photo was taken at either the Graham’s or the Fayne’s homeplace. I love the white picket fence.
I believe a multi-generational family experience can be such a gift. I take special delight in the relationships my children have with my parents. The fact that we live as neighbors is icing on the cake and my proof in the power of manifesting. I fall asleep at night dreaming of a Kentucky homeplace farm with wide open space where all my family could gather, enjoy food grown out the back door. In truth, I am not far from that now. Could it be this came from my ancestors’ DNA?
I also feel that continuing this tradition of caring for our elders is important. Caring for our people in their final days of walking on home changes you. I am blessed to have had that honor. And, it seems, so were my ancestors.
that.Kentucky.girl
A 6th-generation Kentuckian on a journey to find out – follow along
Many family members are interred in the Nicholasville cemetery, now known as Maple Grove Cemetery. I have been visiting Maple Grove since the 1970s on special occasions, funerals and otherwise. When I was very young, I could see the cemetery from the porch of Cutters & Granddaddy’s home on Richmond Ave. They lived in this house when they moved to town from Sugar Creek Pike. My grandmother (shown above) could see her own parents’ headstone from that porch. There is something sweet about that to me.
My cousin and I sitting on the porch together of Richmond Avenue home. If the photographer panned right, there you would see Maple Grove.
Maple Grove Cemetery was formed in May 1849 near downtown Nicholasville. The first person to be buried there is named Brown. He had a role in the formation of the cemetery, as well, prior to his death. The original entrance to the cemetery was from Richmond Avenue, known then as Union Mill Road. Very close to that entrance is where my paternal grandmother, a widow, and my maternal grandparents lived as neighbors for a time when my parents met.
Present-day view from the Fayne headstone looking back at the homes on Richmond Avenue, Nicholasville, Jessamine Co, KY
I captured images as I walked around the 20+acre grounds on a recent visit to Nicholasville, KY. Most visits, we follow a memorized route from Main Street to Cutters’ & Granddaddy’s headstone. Near there, we can walk to a few other family sites. More recently, I found there are many more ancestors than I’ve ever known buried there, including Cooks, Cormans, Mathews, McQuerrys, and more.
The condition of Brown’s grave fascinates me with its partially destroyed cover stone, the bright flowers and modern marker which was dedicated in 2007 by the Jessamine County Historical Society. I learned the style of stone that covers the entire grave is a full ledger marker. I wonder: were there words on that stone at some point?
Our regular family trips to Nicholasville ceased when Cutters passed in 2014 but I like to stop by Maple Grove whenever I am in the area. With the intention of honoring every single body that now forever rest at Maple Grove – including my ancestors.
Each step on this journey reveals excitement in discoveries but always with a bittersweet tinge for what is lost by never being recorded. The more I learn, the more I realize there is much I can never learn. That is inherent in the work of genealogy.
Clyde McQuerry (22 years old) married Violet Fayne (17 years old) on December 24, 1930 in Jessamine County, KY.
A Christmas Eve wedding
A courtin’ scene – Clyde Herbert McQuerry and Violet Sunbeam Fayne, my maternal grandparents circa 1928-30, Sugar Creek Pike, Little Hickman, Jessamine County, Kentucky
The phrase “don’t make ’em like they used to” comes to mind. I look at these young faces and see the beginning of a love story that spanned nearly a century. Look at their arms, hands. Entwined and naturally fitted together. A metaphor for their lives. Even after Clyde died from cancer in 1977, Cutters kept their connection a daily practice. She wrote to him in her diaries, everyday for 35 years until she could no longer see well enough to write. She reached 100 years before that happened.
Both families were members of Wesley Chapel on Sugar Creek Pike, Cutters was born next door to their church, which is where they met, although they did attend different schools. The McQuerrys lived on a large, likely multi-generational farm south on the banks of the Kentucky River. Up the hill from there on Sugar Creek Pike was (and is) Wesley Chapel and neighboring Fayne family. Her utter goodness must have shot through him like a lightning bolt. Or, what if it was a slow burn, like they played together as kids? Both born and raised in a rural church community, it is within the realm of possibility. (I will ask Daddy Mac & ‘Tuh.)
She carried a quiet wholeness and holiness, fingers ever in motion creating something for sharing like legendary bread and crocheted afghans. Cutters, as I knew Violet much later in her life, had this look at times of a far away thought. Her pause was nearly always just to the point you felt the need to pick up a dropped thread. You’d even inhale to speak, then suddenly, she released, nailing the reply. She reflected before speaking her wisdom and I suppose it was by the lessons along the way. She knew EXACTLY what was going on but she had to reflect and, in doing so, to compel you the same. In her presence you’d welcome the pause. She also delivered zingers with impeccable timing. Very clever. It was fun to giggle with Cutters.
The Cutters I knew also carried a sadness reminiscent of long-suffering as in The Bible. She carried it selflessly, though. She could experience joy and you can be sure if you were in her presence the light of that joy was always bright and it shone on you. Always, even in pain and brokenness, she spread light. And, she knew brokenness.
The proximity of Wesley Chapel to the house where Cutters (Violet Sunbeam Fayne McQuerry) was born on Sugar Creek Pike, Jessamine County, KY. Photo: C. Mathews taken on a Ya-Ya’s trip in 2020, 107 years after.
But, in this moment, Clyde, my grandfather at 22 years-old, and Violet, my grandmother at 17 years-old, were in love and embarking together on the future. Christmas Eve. It was a Wednesday. It was 1930. Was it magical? How I hope there may have been a photo I might discover. When did Clyde know she was an angel walking among us? Did he whisper to her “I want to marry you on Christmas?”
The McQuerry-Fayne marriage ceremony was conducted at the parsonage of Rhodes Thompson, minister of the Nicholasville Christian church. [NOTE: I would like to locate this minister’s home address in future research.] You might wonder why the wedding ceremony did not take place at their own church, nor with their own minister. I wonder about that, also. Maybe these “crazy kids” had a reason.
Shirley (unk), Mary C (unk), Clyde & Violet date unrecorded, circa 1928
She had graduated from high school in the summer. She was a teenager, they were young’ns. So, you graduate high school and you plan to be married at Christmas? Don’t you wonder what the “kids” talked about then? Their connection to the outside world was through radio, newspapers, telegrams and word of mouth. The Wall Street Crash had occurred in October 1929 and now, one year later, people were IN the Great Depression. Also, prohibition was in effect, but I don’t think either of them drank alcohol ever.
In the photograph of four friends, you can see what looks like a buckboard in the corner, a fence and a large wooden gate. It reminds me of watching Little House on the Prairie growing up. Cutters liked to watch the TV show, also. I have a litany of “LHotP” stories. That Pa, though. More for another time.
Certificate of Person Performing Marriage Ceremony
TO BE DELIVERED TO PARTIES MARRIED
I, Rhodes Thompson, minister of the Nicholasville Christian Church or religious order of that name do certify that on the 24th day of December 1930 at Nicholasville Kentucky, under authority of a license issued by E. H. Fuller, Clerk of County Court of Fayette County (or city), State of Kentucky, dated the 23rd day of December 1930, I united Clyde McQuerry and Violet Fayne Husband and Wife in the presence of Arab Madilla Herrin(sp?), Henry Lester McQuerry Given under my hand this 24th day of December 1930.
Person Performing Ceremony, Sign Here – Rhodes Thompson
Title of Office – minister
Witnessed by two people: A. M. H. (need help deciphering what is both hard to read and completely unfamiliar) and Henry Lester McQuerry. Should I expect to see a vouchsafe for the bride (because I do)? Where is the implication for her parents’ permission in this process? Or, was that not a thing? Their minister and her family are not represented on the certificate. I mean, where were HER people? Where was Big Mother and Ol’Daddy?
Celebrating Christmas for me was never complete until going with family to “Cutters’ Christmas.” I would venture to guess any of the cousins would say the same. The annual tradition remained a deeply special occasion for decades and maybe that was how Violet chose to honor their special day and her love Clyde each year.
Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Anniversary to you, Clyde and Violet. May you be entwined around each other celebrating for eternity.
I’ve had many thoughts and phrases, quotes in her own voice floating around in my head these past few days. Cutters’ heart stopped beating Thursday morning. She was at Hosparus, Norton downtown Louisville, having been moved there from my parents’ home the night before due to congestive heart failure. Our family has been together for the funeral and the obituary has been published. Funerals bring families together but Cutters had such a way of doing that in all her living glory.
Her home was a hub of activity. As a guest, you were always offered a glass of sweet iced tea, something good to eat that was usually from the garden. The tea, freshly made that morning and filled to the rim of a signature orange Tupperware pitcher with the matching lid. This was always perched in the same top-shelf position of her pristinely maintained refrigerator. Cutters’ cooking, specifically corn, green beans and homemade bread (more on this later) are the stuff of legend.
Holidays were special and the extended family all looked forward to the tradition of gathering at Cutters’ home to eat dinner and exchange gifts. As our group size grew, we instituted a one-gift, even-exchange policy but Cutters was always exempt from this rule. Each year she had a stack of colorful boxes and she was known to take her time, as if savoring the suspense, when opening each one. She had a quiet meticulousness about her – whether using a letter opener to separate the tape from the wrapping on a gift or how she would keep her Tupperware and cabinets so organized. Her home was a reliable map for mindful intention – everything in its place throughout all the years I visited.
She took this quality philosophy with her on her travels. You could tell Cutters had been in your home for a visit – your pantry became organized, there was a pitcher of sweet tea in the refrigerator and your mayonnaise jar was wiped clean by approximately one finger’s length from the rim all around the circumference. That was a signature move. Wiping jars clean and a metaphor for how she left everything better in her wake. She created with lovely hands ever in motion.
I learned so much about life from Cutters but less from her words and more from how she lived her life. As St. Francis said “Preach the Gospel each day and, when necessary, use words.” She epitomized this. Her pastor spoke that “Violet lived the fruits of The Spirit.” As he read each one, the layers of her were confirmed – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.
How did she do it? How did she live to be more than 100 years, as she did? It was only the past year that she appeared challenged by her age. My granddaddy died in 1977 and she survived him all these years living on her own. In her late 90s, she rebounded from two falls that resulted in broken bones and long recovery. She was widowed for 37 years, retired from working 40 years ago and only needed palliative care in her final year of living. I think of the chapters of her life and how I was blessed to be part of the final chapters, especially. Caring for Cutters had a profound effect on my soul. It was a holy experience.
She was born in 1913 – a year after the Titanic sank, for a point of reference. I did not know the young girl who lived to see World War I, the Great Depression, Hitler, World War II, the Korean & Vietnam wars, and modern day conflicts. A farmer’s wife’s life is a harsh one in even the best of circumstances and yet, how did she do it? As my cousin Richard noted in his eulogy, life expectancy for a female born in 1913 was around 55 years. And, as he so beautifully stated, “she did it so well she got to do it twice.”
Cutters was one of five children born to Manfred Fayne and Daisy Easley in Jessamine Co, KY. She had a sister, Hazel, and three brothers – Ralph, Ray, and Bill. Cutters and Granddaddy met at their church, Wesley Chapel United Methodist, where she remained a member all her life. In fact, she was born in the house next door to the church on Sugar Creek Pike. They attended different schools but their families knew each other from Wesley Chapel. He was a farmer but later in life, when I knew him, he was a man of many keys as a security guard or something. He would sit with me at the kitchen table and the keys hanging off the ring seemed to always be in motion. I remember playing with them. I was in 4th grade when he died. Our family was living in Pittsburgh, PA and I remember the sting of the late night intrusion by the overhead light as mom woke us to pack up for the sudden trip home. I probably didn’t understand or know why but I am sure I knew it wasn’t good. I can’t remember but imagine it was a longer than usual drive back to Kentucky.
Full circle, here we were back at Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home. Granddaddy’s service was held there in 1977, very soon after my grandmother Fanny Dean Corman Mathews’ funeral, my dad’s mother. That was a hard year for my parents who each lost a parent. Mom didn’t want to move very far from Cutters and Louisville was about as far as she was comfortable. So, Pennsylvania was a stretch of one year that was hard for all of us. My own 4th grade tribulations of that year can be addressed later.
Cutters made this life better for all who knew her, and possibly for those who didn’t have the opportunity. Though her heart stopped, her loving legacy lives on in ways both small and magnanimous. Cutters inspires me to live more as she did.
Birthday celebration Camp NelsonMy babies with their great-grandmother on her porch swingCutters with me on her front porchThanksgiving at McCanns’ in CrestwoodMe & Cutters Christmas NicholasvilleBeautiful CuttersCutters & me, family Thanksgiving at Barren River Park resortCutters Thanksgiving CrestwoodCutters telling funny stories to my babies at her home in NicholasvilleCutters visiting the Mathews in LouisvilleCutters at Barren River State ResortRecuperating from a broken shoulderBeautiful VioletClyde & VioletCutters meeting her great granddaughterSome Cutters moments
![[ARTIFACT] 1984: The Jessamine Journal, Thursday, October 18, 1984](https://thatkentuckygirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/screen-shot-2023-07-24-at-6.11.07-pm.png?w=89)
![[ARTIFACT] 1981: MRS. NORA TATMAN GIVEN PARTY ON ADVENT OF 100TH BIRTHDAY](https://thatkentuckygirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/screen-shot-2023-05-13-at-7.53.33-pm.png?w=209)
![[ARTIFACT] Violet’s first book for birthdays](https://thatkentuckygirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/836b5d56-1139-42fb-8ff0-941a491c8697-edited.jpeg?w=1200)
that Kentucky girl 